Right To Information

Right to Information Act 2005

Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.

It may be noted that information provided under the Right to Information Act is available to citizens of India only. Applications should be submitted along with documentary proof of Indian Citizenship (like copy of personal particulars pages of passport.) More information, including the full text of the Act, is available at http://rti.gov.in.

The Government of India (Department of Post) has launched the e-IPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) service to facilitate purchase of Indian Postal order electronically for paying RTI fee/cost of information on-line through e-Post Office Portal (https:/www.epostoffice.gov.in ) of the Department of Posts. The detailed instructions for using the e-IPO service for payment of RTI fee on-line are contained in DOP & T OM No. 1/44/2009-IR dated March 22, 2013. The facility of e-IPO has been extended to 176 Indian Missions/Posts abroad also vide Department of Personnel & Training OM NO 1/44/2009-IR dated October 7, 2013. Department of Posts has extended the eIPO service to Indian citizens residing in India also w.e.f. February 13, 2014 vide OM No. 1/44/2009-IR dated 13th February 2014. The RTI applicants may, therefore, pay the RTI fee, also on-line using the said e-IPO service, for seeking information from Ministries/Departments in India as well as from Indian Missions abroad.

The RTI applicant is required to register on the website to create his/her profile. Then he/she has to select the Ministry/Department as well as from Indian Missions/Posts from whom he/she desires to seek information under the RTI Act. The eIPO can be used for making payment of fee to seek information from the Ministry/Department or Indian Missions/Posts. A print out of the eIPO is required to be attached with the RTI application sent in hard copy. In case RTI application is filed electronically, the eIPO should be enclosed as attachment.

It may also be pointed out that as per section 6(1) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, a person who desires to obtain information under the Act is required to submit the application to the Information Officer of the “concerned public authority”. Applicants are, therefore, advised to send their requests under the RTI Act to the Embassy only when the subject matter can reasonably be presumed to pertain to the Embassy. Where the information required obviously does not pertain to the Embassy, the application may be addressed to the concerned PIO directly.

Contact details of officers for addressing applications under Right to Information Act, 2005, in Embassy of India Beirut are as follows:-

Central Public Information Officer (CPIO)

Mr. P. Pattabhi

Second Secretary (Cons & Commerce)

Telephone : +961-1735847 Fax No.+961-1741283

E-mail: cons.beirut@mea.gov.in

Appellate Authority

Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan

Ambassador

Telephone : +961-1-741236

Fax: +961-1741278

E-mail: amb.beirut@mea.gov.in

Information under Section 4(1) (b) of the RTI Act 2005.

Particulars of organizations functions and duties of the Embassy of India, Beirut: (Article 4 (1) (b) (i) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

The Embassy of India is presently housed in a Government of India owned property at No.239, Ibrahim Abed El Aal Street, HAMRA, Ras Beirut, P.O.Box No.113-5240, ZIP Code No.2034-4411, Beirut, Lebanon. The Mission is headed by the Ambassador who is assisted by 14 India based personnel and 11 local staff. Further details are made available in the website (www.indianembassybeirut.gov.in) which is updated from time to time. Embassy has the following wings: Political, Commerce, Culture, Consular and Community Affairs. The functions of the Embassy, inter alia, include political and economic cooperation, trade and investment promotion, cultural interaction, press and media liaison and rendering Passport, Visa and Consular services.

Powers and duties of the employees of the Embassy of India, Lebanon

(Article 4 (1) (b) (ii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

General Administrative powers are derived from IFS(PLCA) Rules, as amended from time to time. Financial Powers of the officers of the Embassy of India have been detailed in the Delegated Financial Powers of the Government of India’s Representatives Abroad. Other powers of the designated officials of the Embassy of India, Beirut are derived from the Allocation of Business Rules and from the Passport Act.

Procedures followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and authority
(Article 4 (1) (b) (iii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005).

The guidelines for office procedures have been published by the Ministry of External Affairs which encompasses those items of work that are frequently encountered by its officers. The Mission follows the Procedure indicated in the Manual of Office Procedure for decision-making.

Norms set by the Ministry for the discharge of its functions
(Article 4 (1) (b) (iv) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

Work allocation is done by the Ambassador outlining tasks and area of responsibilities of each Mission personnel. Periodic checks and reviews are made by the controlling authorities to ensure smooth discharge of work.

Rules, regulations, instructions, manuals and records held by or under the control of the Ministry of External Affairs or used by its employees for discharging its functions
(Article 4 (1) (b) (v) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

IFS PLCA (Pay, Leave and Compensatory Allowances) is already available in electronic format but only for official use. These Rules are applicable to the officers posted in Indian Missions and Posts abroad

Financial Powers of Government of India’s representatives Abroad: (For official use only.)

Passport Manual (For official use only.)

Visa Manual (For official use only.)

Manuals on Office Procedures (For official use only)

Statement of the categories of documents that are held by the Mission or under its control.
(Article 4(1) (b) (vi) of the right to Information Act , 2005)

Telephone List of Indian Missions in other countries and of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Arrangements for consultation with or representation by the members of the public in relation to formulation of policies or implementation thereof
(Article 4 (1) (b) (vii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

Embassy of India functions within the norms of India’s foreign policy formulated by the Ministry of External Affairs. Policy is implemented by the Embassy under the guidance and supervision of the Ambassador.

Statement of boards, councils, committees and other bodies open to the public and whether its meetings /minutes are open and accessible to public

(Article 4 (1) (b) (viii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

Embassy of India interacts regularly with representatives of various councils, committees and community organizations besides communicating through website/ e-mail/social media regarding consular and community affairs, from time to time, as per instructions from the Ambassador.

Directory of officers and employees
(Article 4 (1) (b) (ix) & (x) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

Please refer the website of the Embassy.

Budget allocated to each of its agency, indicating particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on disbursements made
(Article 4 (1) (b) (xi) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

Budget allocated to the Embassy of India, Lebanon by the Ministry of External Affairs for 2016-17 is INR 10,21,80,000/-.

Manner of execution of subsidy programmes, including the amounts allocated and the details of beneficiaries
(Article 4 (1) (b) (xii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

The Mission does not have any subsidy programmes.

Particulars of recipients of concessions, permits or authorizations granted by the Ministry of External Affairs
(Article 4 (1) (b) (xiii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

No concessions/permits are granted by the Embassy of India.

Details in respect of the information available to or held by it, reduced in an electronic form

(Article 4 (1) b(xiv) of the RTI Act, 2005)

The Embassy’s website has the required information.

Particulars of facilities available to citizens for obtaining information
(Article 4 (1) (b) (xv) of the Right to Information Act, 2005)

Facilities/ medium for the Indian citizens to obtain information from the Mission are: